Top Five On-Screen Proposals

Creativity and originality helps, but nothing beats a proposal that's truly from the heart

So you think you can propose? This isn’t a contest, but our best on screen proposal selections will have girls (and some guys) going “aww.” Here are our top five picks:

Definitely, Maybe (2008)
 A casual stroll in the city streets by two coworkers who just met, find themselves on a rooftop. Will Hayes (Ryan Reynolds) is in a serious relationship with his college sweetheart Emily. April Hoffman (Isla Fisher) offers for Will to practice his proposal to Emily.

As if she was speaking to every guy in the world who needed advice on how to propose, April sums it up in two questions, “Why should I marry you anyway? I mean why do you want to marry me?”

With all great lessons aside, this scene has Will rehearsing a proposal with April; in an instant, you see feelings that were ignited when Will musters a genuine proposal.

 “Mainly, when you love someone as much as I love you, getting married is the only thing left to do. So… will you, umm, marry me?”

Although the proposal was for someone else, anyone can see the inspiration of the words genuinely uttered was from April. This is a great proposal from the heart.

Watch the clip (proposal starts at 6:45)

A Walk to Remember (2002)
Landon Carter (Shane West) works tirelessly to create a telescope for Jamie (Mandy Moore) to see the comet she has been waiting to see. Throughout the movie, Landon has been fulfilling each of her wishes not knowing that he is fulfilling a dying girl’s wishes.

After watching the comet, she sits her down on a chair and he then gets down and asks, “Will you do something for me?” Of course, Jamie, without hesitation says, “yes.”

“Will you marry me?” Landon asks.
This is a great example of how actions speak louder than words; even the few words said in the scene were stripped to the bare minimum.

Watch the clip (proposal starts at 1:25)

Rocky (1976)
Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone), face smashed and all, takes Adrian to the zoo to propose.

”I’m wonderin’ if you wouldn’t mind marrying me too much.”

In his true underdog fashion, Rocky blurts his version of a marriage proposal, which, I don’t think, qualifies even as a question. Even so, it works well for his character and it was genuine and endearing.

Watch the clip


Sweet Home Alabama (2002)
Melanie Smooter (Reese Witherspoon) runs away from her husband and her home in Alabama to become one of New York’s top designer. She eventually falls in love with the Mayor’s son.

This sets up the scene for this great proposal, which takes place in a jewellery store. It’s every girl’s dream to have a proposal this grand; it’s every guy’s dream to be this smooth.

Watch the clip (proposal starts at 7:45)

Stepmom (1998)
Luke Harrison (Ed Harris) wakes Isabel (Julia Roberts) from her sleep with a jewellery box with a spool of string inside it. Much to her disappointment, Luke continues to tie a string around her ring finger.
This is one of the best proposals because of its creativity and substance. It was sincere and sentimental.

Watch the clip

What's your favourite on-screen proposal? Share it here!

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